Chestnut Room at Dodge's Market in Elmer open for business

View full sizeThe Chestnut Room located in the New Dodges Market in Elmer is now open. Owner/operator Scott Edmonds talks about the new banquet space. Staff Photo by Cindy Hepner

When Scott Edmonds and James Thomas were looking for a name for their new second-floor banquet space at the New Dodge’s Market in Elmer, they threw around a couple of ideas.

“We toyed with dedicating the room to someone,” said Edmonds. “Both James and I lost people special to us last year. We also thought of naming it after Ethel Dodge, the original owner, or her son, George.”

But ultimately, it came down to what the New Dodge’s Market is known for, Edmonds said.

“We’re known for our sharp cheddar cheese and nuts,” he said. “And the physical address of the market is on Chestnut street.”

So Edmonds and Thomas decided to call the space The Chestnut Room.

And it fit.

View full sizeLocal artists Bonnie and Abe Warren built the tables for The Chestnut Room at the New Dodge's Market in Elmer. The wood to make the tables is actually old floorboards found in the market's attic.Staff Photo by Cindy Hepner

Cut up into small offices, Edmonds had a clear “vision for the place.” He wanted do be able to “do it all,” at the New Dodges Market.

“I wanted this to be a one-stop shop,” Edmonds said.

And now it is.

Upstairs, the space has been transformed into a beautiful place to hold bridal showers, baby showers, anniversary parties, birthday parties, intimate wedding receptions and gatherings after funerals. Edmonds is also a talented florist, so flowers can also be provided for your event, he said.

Walls were removed, a large beam was installed to open it up the space and the stairs leading up to room had to be reconfigured to better accommodate event guests.

The room has four large tables, crafted by local artists Abe and Bonnie Warren, of Quinton Township. The couple also crafted the huge artistic tree that sits in the center of the market downstairs. The wood used to create the tables was salvaged from the attic.

“We found old floorboards stacked up there,” Edmonds said.

The Chestnut Room located in the New Dodges Market in Elmer is now open.Staff Photo by Cindy Hepner

The wood was ready to use, so the Warrens got to work.

“Scott (Edmonds) comes up with concepts and I have a vision in my head,” said Abe Warren.

“The legs are from old doors in here,” said Allison Redman, event planner at the market. “And the best part about the tables is that we can break them down and make the tables smaller if we need to.”

A new chef was hired to handle the food for future events.

“I knew they were doing farm to table here,” said chef Christopher Rollo, of Franklinville. “I’m way into using local produce. It’s a passion of mine.”

Rollo, who lives on a 10-acre farm in Franklinville, said he plans on creating a menu in which he can use some of the vegetables grown there.

“Next spring, we’ll definitely use some of the produce from the farm,” he said.

The Chestnut Room seats 50 people comfortably, said Redman. And you can choose from seven different lunch and dinner packages that range in price, for a light lunch at $15 per person to a standard lunch from $25 to $75, and for dinner, from $50 to $100 per person.

View full sizeOne of several chandeliers — purchased from Home Depot — hang from the ceiling in The Chestnut Room at the New Dodge's Market in Elmer. Staff Photo by Cindy Hepner

The market is also teaming up with the nearby Monroeville Winery to be able to offer wine to guests.

“We knew that in order to take the market to the next level, and even to survive, we had to do this right,” said Edmonds. “We wanted this to be really heartfelt. The walls, the chairs, the paintings, it’s all what James (Thomas) and I wanted it to be. And we hope it’s what customers want, too.”

Both Edmonds and Thomas did find some great deals along the way. The Chiavari chairs were a steal, Edmonds said. A reception hall bought too many chairs and needed to unload a few. The chandeliers were originally going to be custom made. The beautiful light fixtures that are hanging from the ceiling today were found at Home Depot for $100 a piece, a huge savings, Edmonds said.

“We basically inherited a sub shop that had a strong following,” Edmonds said. “People really, really wanted this to be here. We feel as if we’ve lived up to the building. We have an upscale market that doesn’t feel ostentatious. We’ve turned it into a place where people want to be. Everyone feels welcome here. You can spend $15 or $150 here, and you get treated the exact same way.”